File #933: "Mosaic_Spring2009_15.jpg"
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wind, some form not yet conceived by man--who's to say yeah or nay? Some might take me to task for this belief, but I would like to point out that God as we know Him is a selfless, benevolent, forgiving God. If what I've just stated is my true, firm belief, the best of my ability, then should God punish me when judgment day arrives? If you feel I will be punished, then doesn't this render God barbarically pagan, contrary to how He is portrayed? The fact of the matter is that neither you nor I know God's exact profile. Therefore, how I picture God very well may differ from the way you picture Him.
Indeed, my stay at Lee University-although I no longer attend school there has altered how I picture God. It's similar to a relationship with an acquaintance: The more you're around an acquaintance, the better you get to know him/her, thus the better you understand him/her. As my journey at Lee University continues, I'm confident that I will have my moments of "doubt and pain," to quote Mick Jagger from the controversial Rolling Stones' song "Symphony for the Devil." And I challenge you to convince me that you will not suffer the same doubts cast forth by the Prince of Darkness. Tsunamis, earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars, disease and pestilence, brother turning against brother- there's a thousand reasons to doubt the existence of God and a life better than one on earth. However, brothers and sisters, we should always focus on the bright light at the end of the long, dark tunnel.
See, all you and I have are hope and faith. It has been said that with faith the size of a "mustard seed," we can move "mountains"; it's not as though God is asking for a whole lot. There was a time when I didn't have much hope nor faith; however, my time at Lee University has greatly increased my hope and faith, to the point that I now think of a better life ahead. In my opinion, that's about as much as I can ask for, and I thank God- excuse the pun-that I have been blessed with a grain of faith. I can say with absolute certainly that is makes for a much healthier existence than one with virtually no faith. Remember this: With hope and faith there is light at the end of the dark tunnel. Without hope and faith there is total darkness. Which do you prefer?
"Out of a Void of Darkness'
Casey Curtis
As I walked, the cold night air whistled, and a tingling sensation caused me to realize my face was beginning to numb, but fortunately within my jacket there had formed small pockets of heat, keeping me warm at least for the moment. When I finally reached my destination at the middle of the field, I began to look for the most level area of ground. Once finding it, I continued to set up a telescope I was given a few days earlier. After setting the massive tripod firmly in place, I looked up toward the sky. I could see a few spots of light glistening in a void of darkness. The stars reminded me of the goodness in people and how brightly it seems to shine, although, at the same time I was reminded of the darkness in people's hearts.
The opposing nature of good and evil bears similarities to those of positive and negative, or hot and cold. Essentially, good and evil are like a double bladed sword, making it difficult to discuss one blade without taking the other in turn. In fact, the cruelest of dictators have risen to power under the banner of "good," only to undermine it in order to further their own agendas. This is not to say that evil triumphs over good, but that the nature of good is quite different. True goodness is not a means to an end, but the hope of a better tomorrow. The power of good can save lives as well as change one's outlook. It's difficult to deny that morals influence and guide our actions, ranging from daily walks of life to events shaping the future of all mankind. The threads of good and evil are interwoven in the fabric of our existence.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion." Morality and conscience are a closely related duo, softly whispering and crying out their interpretations of right and wrong in our hearts. This moral compass can serve as a guide to a place of refuge away from the troubles of life, in a similar respect that travelers long ago would use stars for navigation. People with good intentions serve the same role when aiding others, and in today's society those people are few and far between. Seeing into a person's heart, past the aspects of life beyond his or her control is caused by an honest desire to understand. From this understanding develops a compassion for people regardless of race, social status, or wealth.
Indeed, my stay at Lee University-although I no longer attend school there has altered how I picture God. It's similar to a relationship with an acquaintance: The more you're around an acquaintance, the better you get to know him/her, thus the better you understand him/her. As my journey at Lee University continues, I'm confident that I will have my moments of "doubt and pain," to quote Mick Jagger from the controversial Rolling Stones' song "Symphony for the Devil." And I challenge you to convince me that you will not suffer the same doubts cast forth by the Prince of Darkness. Tsunamis, earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars, disease and pestilence, brother turning against brother- there's a thousand reasons to doubt the existence of God and a life better than one on earth. However, brothers and sisters, we should always focus on the bright light at the end of the long, dark tunnel.
See, all you and I have are hope and faith. It has been said that with faith the size of a "mustard seed," we can move "mountains"; it's not as though God is asking for a whole lot. There was a time when I didn't have much hope nor faith; however, my time at Lee University has greatly increased my hope and faith, to the point that I now think of a better life ahead. In my opinion, that's about as much as I can ask for, and I thank God- excuse the pun-that I have been blessed with a grain of faith. I can say with absolute certainly that is makes for a much healthier existence than one with virtually no faith. Remember this: With hope and faith there is light at the end of the dark tunnel. Without hope and faith there is total darkness. Which do you prefer?
"Out of a Void of Darkness'
Casey Curtis
As I walked, the cold night air whistled, and a tingling sensation caused me to realize my face was beginning to numb, but fortunately within my jacket there had formed small pockets of heat, keeping me warm at least for the moment. When I finally reached my destination at the middle of the field, I began to look for the most level area of ground. Once finding it, I continued to set up a telescope I was given a few days earlier. After setting the massive tripod firmly in place, I looked up toward the sky. I could see a few spots of light glistening in a void of darkness. The stars reminded me of the goodness in people and how brightly it seems to shine, although, at the same time I was reminded of the darkness in people's hearts.
The opposing nature of good and evil bears similarities to those of positive and negative, or hot and cold. Essentially, good and evil are like a double bladed sword, making it difficult to discuss one blade without taking the other in turn. In fact, the cruelest of dictators have risen to power under the banner of "good," only to undermine it in order to further their own agendas. This is not to say that evil triumphs over good, but that the nature of good is quite different. True goodness is not a means to an end, but the hope of a better tomorrow. The power of good can save lives as well as change one's outlook. It's difficult to deny that morals influence and guide our actions, ranging from daily walks of life to events shaping the future of all mankind. The threads of good and evil are interwoven in the fabric of our existence.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion." Morality and conscience are a closely related duo, softly whispering and crying out their interpretations of right and wrong in our hearts. This moral compass can serve as a guide to a place of refuge away from the troubles of life, in a similar respect that travelers long ago would use stars for navigation. People with good intentions serve the same role when aiding others, and in today's society those people are few and far between. Seeing into a person's heart, past the aspects of life beyond his or her control is caused by an honest desire to understand. From this understanding develops a compassion for people regardless of race, social status, or wealth.